Religion And Aging In The Indian Tradition

Book Details:

• Author: Shrinivas Tilak

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 1997

• ISBN: 9788170305477

• Pages: 244

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 21.5 cm x 14 cm

• Weight: 390 gm

About the Book:
This pioneering work by Shrinivas Tilak offers a rich, interdisciplinary exploration of aging within Indian philosophical and religious traditions. Blending insights from Vedic literature, Buddhism, Hinduism, and modern gerontology, the book demonstrates that aging is not merely a biological inevitability but a cultural construct—one that carries profound spiritual and social dimensions.

The author examines key Sanskrit concepts such as jara (aging), asrama (stages of life), kala (time), karma (actions), kama (desire), parinama (change), and vaja (rejuvenative force) to uncover the uniquely Indian vision of growing old. Central to this vision is the asrama system, which integrates both worldly engagement and spiritual renunciation, offering a holistic path that gives dignity and purpose to old age.

Drawing on a wide array of texts, Dr. Tilak illustrates how Indian culture provides meaningful roles, values, and rituals for the elderly, treating aging as a phase of spiritual integration rather than decline. The study further engages with contemporary gerontological theories such as activity and disengagement models, revealing how ancient Indian wisdom aligns closely with differential disengagement, where one selectively steps back from middle-age duties to embrace introspection and transcendence.

The book also investigates the metaphysical and medical dimensions of aging, death, and bodily decline as understood in classical Indian thought. With reflections on physiological processes, symbolic interpretations, and ritual responses, it provides a deep framework for understanding the human life cycle from both scientific and spiritual perspectives.

An essential read for students and scholars of religion, philosophy, gerontology, and South Asian studies, this text bridges traditional knowledge with modern concerns, presenting aging as a dignified journey toward wholeness and liberation.